Triple flipper jumps for joy at Nitro spot
THREEflips and 18 months later, Jed Mildon has cracked it. The Taupo-based BMXer, who nailed the first triple backflip in May last year, will join Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus inNew Zealand next year.
Andif he turns enough heads in his own backyard, chances are he’ll score a regular spot on the vaunted Nitro tour to Latin America, the United States and Asia later in 2013.
Nitro Circus Live Tour promoter Michael Porra said Mildon’s future is in his own hands when it comes to scoring a regular ride.
‘‘If everything goes asweexpect and Jed blows everyone’s minds, then we’ll have no choice but to offer him a spot on future tours,’’ Porra said.
Mildon’s skills went worldwide when he completed the triple backflip. AYouTube video of the jump, which took place near Taupo, attracted more than nine million views, and sowed a contract with Australian skate label Pilgrim.
Things went south with them – meaning it’s been a tough year for Taupo’s finest, but Pastrana’s crew offers another big chance at success for the 26-year-old.
Mildon will join a gang of top notch performers including AmericanBMXwhizkid James Foster, who has since nailed the triple backflip. AussieBMXerAndy Buckworth will be in the lineup as will the likes ofFMXstars Nate Adams, CamSinclair, and multiple XGames medallist Blake ‘‘Bilko’’ Williams, another Aussie.
‘‘It’s the best opportunity being able to perform with Nitro Circus Live at home with all the crazy big jump riders,’’ Mildon, 26, said.
‘‘I’m so happy that I get the chance to ride. I think I’ll do some flip tail whip variations and some double flips and it would be cool to combo them too.
‘‘The Kiwi crowds will make us go crazy. I’m stoked.’’
Pastrana and his crazy mates will make five stops in Aotearoa next January and February. They’ll kick things off at the new Forysth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on January 25, before heading to Christchurch two days later. The NewZealand tour follows a 14-stop, seven-country sell-out tour of Europe.
North Island stops will be in Auckland (February 2), Hamilton (February 6), while the tour will wrap up on February 9 at Wellington’s WestpacTrust Stadium. Rock up to www.nitrocircuslive.com and www.ticketek.co.nz on the net to suss your tickets.